Under the trees, by the river, a perfect place to turn inward

Yoga at the River’s Edge, a summer yoga series organized by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, is one of a number of opportunities south of Boston to roll out that yoga mat in the great outdoors. Local yoga studios and instructors are also offering sunrise and sunset classes by the water in other south suburbs, including Plymouth, Kingston, Weymouth, Scituate, and Hull.

“It’s different from a yoga studio because you have fresh air and trees and a beautiful vastness — not ceilings and walls and water stains,” said Kezia Bacon, a certified yoga instructor and the founder of the Yoga at the River’s Edge program.

Pictured: Bacon led the group during a yoga class along the North River in Marshfield.
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The series, now in its 17th year, offers hatha yoga — combining gentle stretching with traditional postures, breathing, and meditation — at various sites along the North and South rivers.

Pictured: Jeanine Weaver of Marshfield stretched during a yoga class along the North River.
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Debee Tlumacki for The Boston Globe

Deb Ladas, a Marshfield resident who tried the class for the first time, said it was “incredibly peaceful” and vowed to come back for the other sessions.

“I was really hyper when I came,” she said. “I definitely feel a lot more grounded.”

Bacon teaches a gentle Kripalu-style class — instructors have different styles — which encourages people to focus inward and on their breath, designed “to make it accessible so that anyone can come in and enjoy it.”

Pictured: Annie Massed, of Mashfield, participated in a yoga class.
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Debee Tlumacki for The Boston Globe

Bacon said the outdoor setting and environment helps people relax.

Pictured: Janine Susan of Randolph (center between legs) during a yoga class.
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Debee Tlumacki for The Boston Globe

Ann Thomas, a Scituate resident who has been coming to the summer yoga sessions since they began — and practicing yoga even longer, since she was 6 — makes the Saturday morning classes a priority.

“I just find it’s an awesome tool in terms of my rejuvenation, my relaxation, and just taking care of myself,” she said.

“When there are challenges, whether you’re in a yoga studio or outside, you can apply those to your practice,” Bacon said. “So, yes, it’s harder to get to that serene place, but that’s part of yoga — teaching yourself to find that peace amidst the chaos that is our everyday lives.”

Pictured: Karen Munkley of Quincy (center) reached to the side during a yoga class.
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